Jean-Marie Renvoisé Coteaux du Loir

Pale, almost rosé. Fairly restrained nose Light, possibly less than posted 13% abv, woody earthiness alongside bright berries. Medium acidity

This bottle was a country mile ahead of the five bottles I sucked down last year. Very graceful in its current state: full-flavored, light bodied, perfectly paired with salmon. Where this wine is, at 13% abv, is probably around what most Pinots carried when they were deemed a great match for salmon. Riotously, lip-smackingly good. Not even a hint of the candied notes that I objected to previously. I suppose I liked it well enough to keep opening bottles last …

Something about the color and taste that I can’t totally get past: there is a wallop of cherry blowpop that is a little too sweet. There is enough tart acidity to balance things out, mostly. It is without doubt a lively wine. But could do with a little less blowpop.

Super juicy, with spicy pepper and green herbalness. Great summer red.

Pale red, halfway between red and rose. Sweet but bright, tangy, herbal. Drank this with a vegetable pita and some hummus — a nifty pairing.